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Cadillac Repair/how can i remove the ignition lock

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Expert: - 1/31/2009


Question
I am in the process of buying a 1974 cadillac coupedeville but the ignition key is missing I was wonder on the procedure to remove the ignition or possibly drill it out for now and deal with it at home

Answer
Hi,

Yes, it can be drilled out, but if you haven't done this before, I highly recommend someone that does it all the time.
Its not often I recommend a locksmith, but the cost should not be too bad to use an automotive locksmith. Can save you lots of grief.
With the locksmith, you have options.
He can impression a key. These locks are relatively simple for that. A key blank is blued and inserted, jiggled around, removed and filed. This operation is done for all 6 cuts on the key.
Now you have a working key and can have a dup made as well.
You have not ruined the lock, had to disassemble the column etc.

This is just the easiest and cheapest route.
Drilling the ignition lock out is a pain in the butt and if you have not done this before and are right on center, you stand the chance of wrecking the steering column.

These locks can be forced out with a dent puller, but again, you may be doing more damage than you need to.

The locksmith route you should be very happy with and most will come to the car too!

Good Luck,

Rob

Cadillac Repair

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Rob Painter

Expertise

Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?

Experience

Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.

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